ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Modernisation and Self-Sufficiency in Defence Sector
Modernisation of the Armed Forces is a systematic process undertaken through a Fifteen years Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan , Five Years Services Capital Acquisition Plan  and the Annual Acquisition Plan . The modernisation process aims at keeping the Indian Armed Forces in a state of operational readiness and optimally equipped with modern weapon systems. The budget allocation for modernisation of defence equipment is utilized to meet the urgent operational requirements of the Defence Forces and for acquisitions of contemporary systems based on the planned priorities of the Defence Forces.
Government is pursuing initiatives to achieve higher levels of indigenisation and self-reliance in the defence sector by harnessing the capabilities of the public and private sector industries in the country. These measures include according priority and preference to procurement from Indian vendors and liberalization of the licensing regime. Defence Procurement Procedure  accords the highest priority to Buy Indian  . The ‘Make’ procedure has been simplified with provisions for earmarking projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 crores  and Rs. 3 crores  for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ; and with provisions for involving private industry as production agencies and technology transfer partners. Government has also promulgated the policy on Strategic Partnership in the Defence Sector to encourage broader participation of the private sector in manufacture of major defence platforms and equipment.
During last five financial years , 164 contracts worth about Rs 1,49,259.07 crore have been signed with Indian vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Vivek K Tankha in Rajya Sabha today.
SS/Nampi/DK/Savvy/MTJ/ADA
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID19 - Myth vs. Facts
Media reports claiming admission of ‘multiple side-effects of COVID19 vaccines’ by ICMR and CDSCO officials are ill-informed and erroneous
ICMR and CDSCO have proactively shared globally available scientific evidence in the matter
A recent media report in The Economic Times has claimed that ICMR  and CDSCO  have admitted to ‘multiple side-effects of COVID19 vaccines’ in response to a RTI query. It states that ICMR and CDSCO officials have cited a plethora of ramifications arising out of all the COVID vaccines.
It is clarified that the news report is ill-informed and provides erroneous information.
In line with the policy of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of proactive disclosure aligned with global scientific evidence in public domain, ICMR provided responses to questions no. 4 & 5 of RTI No. R/X/22/00075 related to advantages and disadvantages of COVID19 vaccines. The ICMR response simply provided links of reputed websites of World Health Organization , Center for Disease Control  and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India where compiled global evidence on various COVID19 vaccines is available.
As is the case with all other vaccines, those who get vaccinated with different COVID19 vaccines may experience mild symptoms like injection site tenderness, pain, headache, fatigue, myalgia, malaise, pyrexia, chills, arthralgia etc. Rarely, few individuals may experience severe adverse events depending upon certain pre-disposing conditions.
Global research studies have shown that COVID19 vaccination has helped in reducing severity of disease by preventing hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 and benefits of the vaccines overwhelmingly outweigh any adverse effects. In India, NTAGI  has periodically reviewed the benefits and side effects of Covid-19 vaccines used in India and has endorsed the above findings.
In addition, CDSCO stated as part of the RTI reply that the list of COVID vaccines approved by the national Drugs Controller General is available on the website . CDSCO also informed that they have no other information with them on the subject.
It may be noted that ICMR has not commented on any of the documents, links of which have been shared as part of the RTI response.
Prime Minister's Office
2022-23 GDP growth figures underscore the resilience of the Indian economy amidst global challenges:PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed satisfaction about the 2022-23 GDP growth figures while seeing a promising trajectory for the economy of the country.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"The 2022-23 GDP growth figures underscore the resilience of the Indian economy amidst global challenges. This robust performance along with overall optimism and compelling macro-economic indicators, exemplify the promising trajectory of our economy and the tenacity of our people."
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates DD News' Weekly Sanskrit Magazine 'Vaartavali
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Sanskrit News Magazine ‘Vaartavali’ on completion of its five years of continuous broadcast on DD News.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “देववाणीं संस्कृतभाषां वैश्विके पटले प्रचारप्रसारशिखरासनम् आसादयितुं कृतयत्नस्य डी.डी.न्यूज़-वाहिन्यां प्रसार्यमाणस्य 'वार्तावली'-कार्यक्रमस्य अतुल्यमस्ति योगदानम्। वार्तावल्याः पञ्चवर्षपूर्त्यवसरे संस्कृतकार्यक्रमसम्बद्धान् समस्तान् सदस्यान् दर्शकाँश्च अहं हृदयेन अभिनन्दामि”।
Ministry of Women and Child Development
6th Women of India Organic Festival of WCD Ministry concludes today
Women of India Organic Festivals being organised by government to empower women farmers and entrepreneurs : Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
The Ministry of Women and Child Development aims to encourage Indian women entrepreneurs and farmers to connect with more buyers through organizing ‘Women of India Organic Festivals’ across the country. This was stated by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development after visiting various stalls and Food Court on the concluding day of 6th ‘Women of India Organic Festival’ held at Leisure Valley, Sector-10, Chandigarh.
The Minister further said that through this festival, the Ministry also aims to educate people about its various initiatives and schemes relating to women and children development. The Women of India Organic Festival has been held annually in New Delhi since 2015 and has made its debut in Chandigarh this yearto showcase the varied products of women farmers and entrepreneurs.She said thatit would empower them through financial inclusion, while promoting organic farming in India.
The Union Minister, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi along with Member of Parliament from Chandigarh Smt. Kirron Kher interacted with the participating women farmers and entrepreneurs also and inspected about their products. Over 200 women farmers and entrepreneurs from different parts of the country put up 72 stalls of various farming and organic products in this three day festival besides 15 food stalls in the food court. The Festival showcased over 1,000 varied organic products, including fabric, wellness, grains, seeds, jewellery, bakery items and a lot more.
Addressing the media,the WCD Minister stressed upon the need for promoting organic farming throughout the country for better, healthy and environment friendly lifestyle especially encouraging women farmers and entrepreneurs with a well-knit marketing infrastructure for organic farm products. She informed that the women entrepreneurs have got a very good response of the people during the festival.Visitors showed their keen interest to purchase various products exhibited in the festival.
Election Commission
Shri Achal Kumar Joti takes over as new Chief Election Commissioner of India
Shri Achal Kumar Joti has assumed charge as the 21st Chief Election Commissioner of India, succeeding Dr. Nasim Zaidi here today. Dr. Zaidi demitted office yesterday after completing his tenure.
After the assumption of charge, Shri Joti spoke about the priorities of the Commission and said that the Commission shall pursue vigorously its commitment to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections throughout the country. Secondly, the Commission will also pursue its mission to ensure that “No Voter to be Left Behind”. Thirdly, the Commission shall actively promote e-Governance for holding of elections to the State Assemblies and Parliamentary Elections in the country, Shri Joti added.
Shri Joti has served as Election Commissioner since 13th May, 2015. During his tenure as Election Commissioner, State Assembly elections in the States of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakand, Manipur and Goa were successfully conducted. Some of the initiatives undertaken during these elections are IT initiatives including the one for service voters through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System , along with National Voter Service Portal  –an e-portal for easy registration of eligible voters, voter awareness and educational initiatives and stringent expenditure monitoring mechanism etc.
Before joining the Election Commission of India, Shri Joti has served the Nation as a longtime Civil Servant of Indian Administrative Service . He brings with him a rich experience of Public Administration of 42 years. During his distinguished career, he served as DM and Collector of Districts Surendranagar, Godhra and Kheda. He held various significant assignments as Secretary , Secretary , Principal Secretary , along with serving as the Chairman of the Kandla Port Trust, on Central Government deputation with Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, between 1999 and 2004, as the Managing Director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd  and Additional Chief Secretary . Shri Joti superannuated as Chief Secretary to the Government of Gujarat in January 2013 after completing a three-year tenure.
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Ministry of Power
SJVN Ltd installs Four Oxygen Plants in Himachal Pradesh
SJVN Ltd, a joint venture of Ministry of Power and Government of Himachal Pradesh, is installing 4 Oxygen Plants in the districts of Shimla , Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti & Hamirpur of Himachal Pradesh at a cost of around Rs. 4.5 Crore. SJVN has provided Cold Chain Equipments costing around Rs. 1 Crore to state government in support of its efforts to vaccinate the entire population of the state.
SJVN has recently provided 50 semi fowler Beds to IGMC in addition to this financial support of more than Rs. 2 Crore, has been extended to procure ventilators, oximeters, other medical equipment, Personal Protection Equipment , masks, sanitizers & gloves in various hospitals of Government of Himachal Pradesh.
For boosting the healthcare infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh SJVN is also supporting NGOs working in fight against Covid-19 to the tune of Rs. 1 Crore. In all these activities an amount of around Rs. 7.5 Crore has been contributed in combating the pandemic during last four months.
In addition to this SJVN has also provided ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oximeters and other medical equipment to Hospitals in Bihar, Uttarakhand and other states where it has presence.
The employees of SJVN have already contributed one day salary amounting to Rs. 45 Lakh to CM Relief Fund/H.P.Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund to combat the Corona challenge.
To speed up the process of vaccination against Covid-19, SJVN has tied up with Fortis Hospital for vaccinating its employees, persons working in through contractors and local people residing in the vicinity of Projects/offices.
SJVN has always been in forefront in supporting the society and the government for tackling various issues which affect the nation and fellow countrymen. SJVN is also liberally extending support for distribution of food and other essential items to the needy and has contributed Rs. 25 Crore towards PM CARES Fund.
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Ministry of Defence
IAF Rescues More than 107 Individuals from the Frozen Zanskar River in the UT of Ladakh
50 trekkers including nine foreign nationals and approximately equal number of local guides and porters, who were a part of the ongoing ‘Chadar Trek’, got stranded when some portions of the frozen Zanskar River melted. The melting caused the flow of the water to become too strong, for the trekkers to continue across the river on foot. The stranded trekkers managed to move to Niraq, a small camp site upstream and were awaiting to be rescued. To carry out a rescue by helicopters, a makeshift helipad was prepared along the river bank. ALH helicopters were immediately pressed into action from AF Stn Leh.
IAF’s helicopters have rescued 107 individuals during the last two days.The rescued trekkers include one male and one female from France and four male and three females from People’s Republic of China, who as per the information were rescued from Padum. IAF will continue the ongoing rescue operation till all the stranded trekkers, guides and porters are evacuated and brought to safety. Additionally, in order to provide medical facilities to the stranded trekkers a medical officer and a medical assistant were also flown from AF Stn Leh to Niraq. The team has setup a medical assistance camp at Niraq and are providing basic medical assistance to the stranded trekkers.
The operations were undertaken by IAF in close coordination with Ladakh’s newly formed Civil Administration, nearby Indian Army units and local Disaster Relief Teams.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Improvement in the status of women in the country on various parameters
The latest data from National Family Health Survey-5 , National Crime Records Bureau , Health Management Information System  etc. indicate improvement in the status of women and girls in the country during recent years on various parameters. Government of India continues to attach highest priority to making women more empowered through legislative and schematic interventions, policies and programmes including schemes for assisting women facing violence and distress. Some of these are One Stop Centre , Women Helpline  and many social protection schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana , Anganwadi Services , Scheme for Adolescent Girls, National Health Mission , Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana , PM Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana , Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Social Assistance Programme , a cluster of programmes that include pensions to the elderly, disabled, and widows, etc.
Benefits of PM Ujjwala Yojana, inter-alia, include improvement in health condition, reduction in indoor air pollution, less pressure on forests and other natural resources, reduction in drudgery and time saving for women resulting in empowerment of women. The LPG coverage in the country has improved from 62 % before PMUY to near saturation now.
The impact of such social protection schemes on women in the country is multi-dimensional which includes economic empowerment, and improvement in education, self respect, morale, confidence and inner strength. Further, all these measures have resulted in reduction of crime against women. As per National Family Health Survey , there is an improvement in status of women on several parameters in comparison to those from NFHS-4:
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Parameters
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NFHS-4
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NFHS-5
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Currently married women who usually participate in their household decisions 
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84
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88.7
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Women owing a house and/ or land  
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38.4
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43.3
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Women having a bank or savings account that they themselves use 
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45.9
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54.0
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Ever-married women age 18-49 years who have ever experienced spousal violence
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31.2
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29.3
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Ever-married women age 18-49 years who have experienced physical violence during any pregnancy 
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3.9
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3.1
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Young women age 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18 
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1.5
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1.5
Further, the data published by the National Crime Records Bureau  on crime against women also shows a declining trend in the crime against women which was 3,71,503 in the year 2020, as against 4,05,326 in the year 2019.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Public Consultation through citizen-centric Survey for Formulation of NCF as part of Implementation of NEP -2020
The Government of India has announced the National Education Policy , 2020 on 29th July 2020, which recommends quality improvement of the system of education through the development of a National Curriculum Framework . The process of the National Curriculum Framework has been started through the constitution of the District Consultation Committees, State Focus Groups, and State Steering Committee. National Focus Groups and National Steering Committee etc. A tech platform - website and mobile app has been developed for the execution of the work at scale and in a paperless manner. Using the bottom-up approach, district level consultations, mobile app -based surveys, state level consultations through State Focus Groups and State Steering Committee have been conducted by the States and UTs to reach out the stakeholders like parents, Anganwadi workers, teachers, teacher educators, students, etc. at the grassroots level and collect their views and opinion about the future of school education, early childhood care and education, teacher education and adult education.
At the national level also the National Focus Groups and National Steering Committee have been engaged to deliberate on various issues and concerns, including the interaction with various ministries, autonomous bodies, NGOs, Corporates, Philanthropic agencies etc. for collecting and collating valuable inputs for formulation of NCF. A mandate document for the formulation of NCF has been developed for guiding the stakeholders in the process.
Given the diversity in the country, providing an opportunity to every stakeholder, who may or may not be a parent or a teacher or a student and willing to participate in the transformation of the education system in India, through sharing views on common concerns related to education, is the need of the hour. Such multiple and diverse views are likely to provide a practical road map for the smooth implementation of the vision of NEP 2020.
It is in this context, the Department of School Education and Literacy , Ministry of Education, Government of India has planned to invite views of various stakeholders through an online public consultation survey, which will be instrumental in collating very useful and crucial inputs for the formulation of National Curriculum Framework and also subsequently designing syllabus, textbooks and other instructional materials.
All stakeholders including teachers, headmasters/principals, school leaders, educationists, parents, students, community members, NGOs, experts, public representatives, artists, artisans, farmers and anybody who has an interest in school education and teacher education are invited to participate in this online survey being conducted in 23 languages, including the languages placed in the VIIIth Schedule of our Constitution.
Join us and take the online survey and contribute to the creation of a robust, resilient and coherent echo-system of education in India. Click on the link to take the online survey now: http://vsms.sms.gov.in/OMZhm8YvAQE
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA INTERACTS WITH THE MEMBERS OF PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TRIBAL GROUPS
PRESIDENT MURMU URGES THE MEMBERS OF PVTGs TO GIVE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO EDUCATION
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu interacted with the members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups  at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . She also witnessed cultural performances which included Mal Pahariya of Bihar, Siddi of Gujarat, Irula of Kerala, Sahariya of Rajasthan, Baiga Pardhauni of Madhya Pradesh and Budigali of Odisha, on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that she was happy to meet the members of all 75 PVTGs together. She welcomed them at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She noted that many of them have come out from their villages for the first time. She said that each one of them is a representative of their community. She urged them to share their experiences with their community-members and inform them about the welfare schemes of the government.
The President urged the members of PVTGs to give utmost importance to education. She said that for the students of PVTG community, special provision of seats has been made in Eklavya Model Residential Schools. Apart from this, seats are also reserved for them in the National Fellowship and Overseas Scholarship Scheme. She also urged women of PVTG to take advantage of various schemes, including Tribal Women Empowerment Scheme.
The President said that under the Tribal Sub-Plan, 41 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India share part of their budget for the welfare of tribal communities, including PVTGs. She was happy to note that 'Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission' has been launched by the Government for the development of PVTGs.
The President said that the campaign announced in the current budget to eradicate Sickle Cell Anemia by the year 2047, is a very important step.
The President said that for the past few years, talented people from the tribal community are being honoured with Padma Awards for their remarkable contributions in various fields. She wished that more than 10 crore people of tribal society, including about 28 lakh people of PVTG society, should develop their talents and contribute their best for the society and country.
The President said that the people of the tribal society have made a lot of sacrifices to protect the motherland and its natural and cultural wealth. To achieve the goals of sustainable development, all of us can learn from the tribal society. It is the duty as well as aspiration of all citizens, especially the tribal people including PVTG, to ensure their development while maintaining their identity and safeguarding their existence. She expressed confidence that the members of PVTG would continue to move forward in the journey of inclusive development of our country.
Earlier in the day, the members of PVTGs had a guided tour of Rashtrapati Bhavan and Amrit Udyan. After the tour, the President met and interacted with them at the Amrit Udyan.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -